“I’m sure, but brother, either you go to her, you talk to her and clean up the mess between yourselves, or you let her go. You have to get your head in the game, and your personal life is distracting you from what’s always been the most important thing in your life.” He held up his tablet with the opinion section of the Financial Times on display. “These are serious allegations that are getting visibility. They can ruin your chances of securing the CEO seat.”

Ajay took the tablet and scanned the text. The article was ugly, just like the three that had come before it since the news broke on Friday.

Bharat, Inc., is attempting to bolster its market value and its reputation by acquiring a cybersecurity and physical security services company. Although, on its face, the acquisition appears to be a sound decision to expand the Bharat portfolio, the company in question is owned by Rajneet Kaur Hothi.

This means one of two things. The first is that WTA succeeded in establishing itself as the technology giant pulling strings on Bharat’s next move (see yesterday’s article on the relationship between Rajneet Kaur Hothi and WTA). The second, which is more of a commentary on business engagement in a globalized economy, is that South Asian entrepreneurs are banding together to fight the lack of diversity and inclusion in the business world.

One truth remains: the heir apparent of Bharat, Ajay Singh, has not made a public statement regarding the company’s position, which doesn’t give investors confidence in the man touted as the next CEO of Bharat.

Ajay dropped the tablet back on the dining table. “Wouldn’t they love to know that my own brother is the reason why I’m not at a press conference right this moment? That Zail is holed up at Bharat Mahal waiting for me to say something so that he can make a move against me and against Raj? Both my brother and father are convinced this is a lesson that I have to learn on my own as a leader. Easy for them to say. They never had to deal with something like this before.”

Bhram shrugged. “I’m still stuck on the racist bullshit about South Asians banding together to take over the world. These colonizers, man. Always feeling threatened.”

“You’re not helping, cousin.”

Bhram stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “I think you need to go to Bharat Mahal and stay with your family until you can talk this out and come up with a solution. I’m happy to watch things here while you’re busy. I’m staying . . . nearby.”

“No, you need to head back to London. Even if you have to go for a weekend and then come back for next week’s meeting. I don’t trust our uncle alone with the caretakers. He hasn’t been in recovery long enough.”